Pampered pooches are pushing up cost of your pet insurance

Millions of pet owners are running up expensive vet bills due to over-feeding their dogs.

Insurers report that animal obesity is increasing, with many dogs suffering from heart disease, diabetes, breathing difficulties and arthritis.

The news comes as the latest survey from insurer Petplan found that 83 per cent of owners are not concerned about over-feeding their pet - with nearly half admitting to giving their pet takeaways.

Out of control: Insurers report that animal obesity is increasing, with many dogs suffering from heart disease, diabetes, breathing difficulties and arthritis

Anyone without pet insurance could face a hefty bill for treating their obese animal. The average cost for diabetes treatment for both dogs and cats over their lifetime is £9,307, according to Petplan.

However, most people who take out standard pet insurance will be covered for only a year of treatment.

The cheapest policies are 'time and benefit limited', which means they cover only specific medical conditions up to a maximum limit, say £5,000, and for a year. After that it becomes a pre-existing condition and the pet will not be covered.

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Only cover for life has no time constraints and the payout limit is usually reinstated every year.

'Ongoing conditions such as diabetes can cost thousands over lifetime, so if an owner has only a 12-month policy they are likely to still be left with a substantial amount of money to pay,' warns a spokeswoman for Petplan.

Pet insurance has grown increasingly expensive in recent years. Premiums rose by 28 per cent between 2007 and 2009 as vets hiked their costs. The average cost of a claim today is £425.

As a result, many insurers are selling budget pet insurance aimed at cash-strapped customers. It is these types of policies that are likely to leave dog owners out of pocket.

Some of the cheapest policies stop paying out on a condition 12 months after it starts, or when a certain amount in vet bills has been paid out — whichever comes first.

Dog owners also need to bear in mind that their dogs' daily calorie intake should be just 40 per cent of their own — a six pound increase in the average dog's weight is the equivalent of the average UK male putting on a stone.

Brian Faulkner, of the Village Veterinary Group, says: 'Obesity can lead to all sorts of health problems that require long-term expensive treatment, and can also reduce your pet's lifespan by two or three years.

'Normally, the problem is not a lack of exercise, but simply over-feeding. Owners give their pets too many treats and titbits.'